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Huntsman arrested in Essex after attack on hunt saboteur

HSA news release 5th March 2005

A member of the Essex Farmers and Union hunt was arrested today (5 March 2005) after a hunt saboteur was struck on the head with a riding crop. The victim, a 29 year old woman, was not treated at the scene, but will be attending a doctor's surgery on Monday.

The Essex Farmers and Union Hunt, which has a reputation for violence against anti-hunt protestors, had met at the Star public house in Steeple near Maldon, Essex.

The hunt attempted to use a loophole in the Hunting Act which allows two hounds to be used to flush foxes out to waiting guns. The saboteurs at the scene made noises by the waiting to guns to scare foxes back from that direction so they would not be shot by the waiting hunters. This tactic proved succesful three times at which point the hunters set about attacking the saboteurs.

Riders with the hunt charged at the saboteurs while terriermen on quad bikes drove into them and punched them. The saboteurs then attempted to leave. As they were leaving, the assault with the riding crop took place.

Until this point, police had not been present, and were called to the scene. When they arrived, one of the saboteurs went with officers and identified the alleged assailant, who was arrested and then immediately bailed pending further enquiries.

Hunt Saboteurs Association spokesperson Nathan Brown said, "Flushing foxes to guns in this manner has nothing to do with controlling wildlife - it is a bloodsport carried out for kicks. We have had to adapt our tactics to carry on saving lives since the law made traditional hunting illegal. The violent reaction by hunters goes to prove how effective our tactics are at saving wildlife."

ENDS

Timeline: the recent wave of violence against anti-hunt protestors since the Hunting Act was passed...

20 November 3 saboteurs injured. One has to undergo emergency surgery to save his finger. South Devon Hunt, Devon

27 November Saboteur receives 5 stitches to head wound after attack. High Peak Harriers, Derbyshire 17 year old saboteur receives broken nose after repeatedly headbutted. Crawley and Horsham Hunt, West Sussex

09 February Saboteurs hit by quad bike, ridden down and whipped. Essex Farmers and Union Hunt

12 February Saboteur's finger broken, female sab had head held under water by hunt supporters, female saboteur repeatedly kicked in the head and head stamped on suffering a suspected broken jaw, gang of over 40 hunt supporters ambushed saboteurs. Essex Foxhounds, Essex.

17 February 8 Saboteurs attacked and ITN film crew ambushed by 30 thugs and riders. Chiddingfold Leconfield and Cowdray Hunt, West Sussex.

19 February Saboteurs attacked and beaten by 15 - 20 hunt supporters in full view of BBC film crew. East Kent Hunt, Kent.